The incoming administration\u2019s leadership the decision of governor-elect Benigno R. Fitial and lieutenant governor-elect Timothy Villagomez to go on a business trip to Asia at their own expense.<\/p>\n
House leadership spokesperson Charles Reyes Jr. said the speaker and vice speaker made the decision in consideration of the government\u2019s financial condition.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s unusual for government officials to go on official trips using their own money. This trip is a welcome departure from the current administration\u2019s practice of going on government-funded trips that have not shown tangible results,\u201d Reyes said.<\/p>\n
In their meetings with foreign businesspeople, Fitial and Villagomez will discuss tax and other incentives available to new investors in the Commonwealth.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope we can succeed in encouraging foreign investors to put up new businesses in the CNMI,\u201d Reyes said.<\/p>\n
He also lashed at Fitial\u2019s critics who have accused the next governor of promoting economic growth at the expense of the islands\u2019 environment and social needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the governor [Fitial] believes that it\u2019s very important to bring in new money to the Commonwealth, he also places a high value on social benefits, the environment, and the well-being of the indigenous population,\u201d Reyes said.<\/p>\n
He recalled that Fitial strongly supported PaganWatch, which fought a company\u2019s proposal to extract Pagan pozzolan because of environmental concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe governor is not concerned about pure profit. He has a social conscience,\u201d Reyes said.<\/p>\n
Fitial and Villagomez will visit Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and the Philippines during their trip. They are expected to be gone for at least one week.<\/p>\n
In related news, Reyes said that the House of Representatives has not set a schedule for its next session. The House members are not expected to meet while the speaker and vice speaker are off-island.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a month,\u201d Reyes said.<\/p>\n
The new administration will assume office on Jan. 9, 2006.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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